Background Information
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. went to Harvard College and graduated with a B.A. in government. He is married to Mary Richardson and has six children. In 1983, Kennedy was arrested for heroin possession when he was found in an airplane bathroom with a needle in his arm. He was sentenced with 1500 hours of community service and became involved the Riverkeeper organization. After working with them on a case he was hired after his 1500 hours were finished. He later became involved with Environmental lobbying and became the senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. He has an umbrella organization known as the Waterkeeper Alliance, after his work with the Riverkeeper group. He and two other individuals created a bottled water company that donates all its proceeds to the Waterkeeper Alliance.
Ramaswamy R. Iyer graduated from Bombay with a M.A. in English Language and Literature in 1948, and later earned his Post-graduate Diploma in Economic and Social Administration from London School of Economics in 1965. Throughout life Iyer has held a number of civil service positions for various governments. He has been a member of various organizations such as Pricing of Irrigation Water set up by the Planning Commission (1992), National Commission on Integrated Water Resource Planning (1996-1999) and most recently he has served as a member of a panel for the Ministry of Water Resource. He is also a life member for numerous institutions, which included Indian Institute of Public Administration and Indian Water Resources Society. Iyer currently serves as the Secretary to the Government of India. He has expertise in water resources, public enterprises, public administration and governance issues, and general political and social issues. He is also an honorary research professor for the Centre for Policy Research.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Grassroots versus Astroturf: Research Project
The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is a campaign, run by Randall Hayes, “for the forests, their inhabitants and the natural systems that sustain life” through forms of illegal direct-action civil disobedience, forms of education, and grassroots organizing (ran.org).
I found this group to be a grassroots organization. The definition of grassroots claims that it is a group of people that “take collective action on their own behalf” (wikepedia.com). The focus on grassroots organizations is that they are real people protesting something. Although RAN is being investigated regarding whether or not it should still be tax-exempt, considering both its funding and its size, the group still performs true protests. The group is known for it’s negative campaigns and boycotts against corporations or anything it believes is dangerous to the environment. For example, in 2004 activists scaled a Seattle construction platform to protest against the Washington-based Weyerhaeuser logging company. The protesters apparently hung “a 2,400-square-foot protest banner” to condemn the company (discoverthenetworks.org). Their reputation precedes them to make negative comments about a company and boycott/protest, and continually perform acts of civil disobedience until they concede to their demands. This organization does put an emphasis on grassroots organization, education, and projects like their twelve-step program. This organization also appears to be grassroots because the members and activists are people: teachers, scientists, students and concerned parents who truly believe in their cause.
Works Cited:
Our Mission." Ranforest Action Network. 2007. Rainforest Action Network. 27 Mar 2007. http://ran.org/who_we_are/about_us/.
Hayes, Randall. "Rainforest Action Network." Friend of the Earth Affiliates. 14 Dec 2006. Friends of the Earth International. 27 Mar 2007. http://www.foei.org/groups/affiliates/ran.html.
"Rainforest Action Network." Anwers.com. 2007. Wikipedia. 28 Mar 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/rainforest-action-network.
"Grassroots Organizing." Answers.com. 2007. Wikipedia. 28 Mar 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/grassroots-organizing-1.
"Rainforest Action Network (RAN)." DiscovertheNetworks.org: A Guide to the Political Left. 2006. DiscovertheNetworks.org. 28 Mar 2007 . http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6904.
I found this group to be a grassroots organization. The definition of grassroots claims that it is a group of people that “take collective action on their own behalf” (wikepedia.com). The focus on grassroots organizations is that they are real people protesting something. Although RAN is being investigated regarding whether or not it should still be tax-exempt, considering both its funding and its size, the group still performs true protests. The group is known for it’s negative campaigns and boycotts against corporations or anything it believes is dangerous to the environment. For example, in 2004 activists scaled a Seattle construction platform to protest against the Washington-based Weyerhaeuser logging company. The protesters apparently hung “a 2,400-square-foot protest banner” to condemn the company (discoverthenetworks.org). Their reputation precedes them to make negative comments about a company and boycott/protest, and continually perform acts of civil disobedience until they concede to their demands. This organization does put an emphasis on grassroots organization, education, and projects like their twelve-step program. This organization also appears to be grassroots because the members and activists are people: teachers, scientists, students and concerned parents who truly believe in their cause.
Works Cited:
Our Mission." Ranforest Action Network. 2007. Rainforest Action Network. 27 Mar 2007. http://ran.org/who_we_are/about_us/.
Hayes, Randall. "Rainforest Action Network." Friend of the Earth Affiliates. 14 Dec 2006. Friends of the Earth International. 27 Mar 2007. http://www.foei.org/groups/affiliates/ran.html.
"Rainforest Action Network." Anwers.com. 2007. Wikipedia. 28 Mar 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/rainforest-action-network.
"Grassroots Organizing." Answers.com. 2007. Wikipedia. 28 Mar 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/grassroots-organizing-1.
"Rainforest Action Network (RAN)." DiscovertheNetworks.org: A Guide to the Political Left. 2006. DiscovertheNetworks.org. 28 Mar 2007 . http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6904.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Press Release: WaterWays 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Dr. Irene J. Klaver (940) 565-2266
Samantha Reed, (972) 822-9816
Skr0078@unt.edu
THE AVERAGE AMERICAN USES ABOUT 100 GALLONS OF WATER A DAY
UNT to Host the 2nd Biannual WaterWays Conference featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – March 9, 2007 – Only 1% of Earth’s water is available for drinking, while the other 99% is either salt water or frozen. This small percentage supports the entire world, and while American’s are able to use water liberally everyday other countries face scarcity and pollution. The University of North Texas has the privilege to host “WaterWays: The Confluence of Art, Science, Policy & Philosophy,” to offer new ideas for the relationship between humans, natural ecosystems, and water.
WaterWays 2007 will bring philosophers, politicians, scientists, artists, and managers together for a three-day conference event. The conference will begin on March 13 (Tuesday) with an opening speech by Irene J. Klaver, director of WaterWays, followed by a panel discussion on rainwater harvesting. Discussion and art exhibits will continue through Wednesday and the conference will come to a close on March 15 (Thursday) with a discussion on Mississippi, major rivers, and a luncheon.
This event is FREE and open to the public. It will be held in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building with a few discussions and exhibits in the Art Building. For questions or if you are unfamiliar with the UNT campus, go to http://www.unt.edu/pais/map/campusmap.htm.
The conference will feature Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current president of the WaterKeeper Alliance on March 14 (Wednesday) at 1PM in Room 130 ENV. This speech will be followed by a free reception of Indian food and live music. Kennedy will speak again on Wednesday evening in the Silver Eagle Suite of the University Union at 8pm. The evening speech is free for UNT students and $10 for the general public – tickets are now available in the Union.
There will be an exhibit by Daniel Bozhkov opening on March 14 (Wednesday). This exhibit is an art project Bozhkov has been building for UNT, and reflects the crucial water discussion of the conference. There will also be a photography exhibit, a lecture regarding the film Water, and discussions on India’s river linking plan, rainmaker’s workshops, and much more. For a full schedule of events, please visit www.water.unt.edu/waterways.htm.
Philosophy of Water Project
Launched in September of 2003 by Professor Irene J. Klaver and The Dixon Foundation of Dallas, the Philosophy of Water Issues Program approach crucial water issues that reflect cultural, social, political, and philosophical analyses. It brings together scientists, philosophers, politicians, artists, managers and specialists to help develop new concepts for understanding relationships between natural ecosystems, humans, and water. The Philosophy of Water Issues is made possible by the munificent grant from the Dixon Water Foundation of Dallas, TX and the support of the Department of Philosophy of the University of North Texas.
For more information contact:
Dr. Irene J. Klaver (940) 565-2266
Samantha Reed, (972) 822-9816
Skr0078@unt.edu
THE AVERAGE AMERICAN USES ABOUT 100 GALLONS OF WATER A DAY
UNT to Host the 2nd Biannual WaterWays Conference featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – March 9, 2007 – Only 1% of Earth’s water is available for drinking, while the other 99% is either salt water or frozen. This small percentage supports the entire world, and while American’s are able to use water liberally everyday other countries face scarcity and pollution. The University of North Texas has the privilege to host “WaterWays: The Confluence of Art, Science, Policy & Philosophy,” to offer new ideas for the relationship between humans, natural ecosystems, and water.
WaterWays 2007 will bring philosophers, politicians, scientists, artists, and managers together for a three-day conference event. The conference will begin on March 13 (Tuesday) with an opening speech by Irene J. Klaver, director of WaterWays, followed by a panel discussion on rainwater harvesting. Discussion and art exhibits will continue through Wednesday and the conference will come to a close on March 15 (Thursday) with a discussion on Mississippi, major rivers, and a luncheon.
This event is FREE and open to the public. It will be held in the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building with a few discussions and exhibits in the Art Building. For questions or if you are unfamiliar with the UNT campus, go to http://www.unt.edu/pais/map/campusmap.htm.
The conference will feature Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current president of the WaterKeeper Alliance on March 14 (Wednesday) at 1PM in Room 130 ENV. This speech will be followed by a free reception of Indian food and live music. Kennedy will speak again on Wednesday evening in the Silver Eagle Suite of the University Union at 8pm. The evening speech is free for UNT students and $10 for the general public – tickets are now available in the Union.
There will be an exhibit by Daniel Bozhkov opening on March 14 (Wednesday). This exhibit is an art project Bozhkov has been building for UNT, and reflects the crucial water discussion of the conference. There will also be a photography exhibit, a lecture regarding the film Water, and discussions on India’s river linking plan, rainmaker’s workshops, and much more. For a full schedule of events, please visit www.water.unt.edu/waterways.htm.
Philosophy of Water Project
Launched in September of 2003 by Professor Irene J. Klaver and The Dixon Foundation of Dallas, the Philosophy of Water Issues Program approach crucial water issues that reflect cultural, social, political, and philosophical analyses. It brings together scientists, philosophers, politicians, artists, managers and specialists to help develop new concepts for understanding relationships between natural ecosystems, humans, and water. The Philosophy of Water Issues is made possible by the munificent grant from the Dixon Water Foundation of Dallas, TX and the support of the Department of Philosophy of the University of North Texas.
Information Collected for WaterWays 2007
WHO: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
General people
WHAT: "WaterWays: The Confluence of Art, Science, Policy & Philosophy" -A conference to bring scientists, philosophers, artists, water managers and water specialists together to discuss crucial water issues and raise a broad awareness of water basin issue.
WHEN: March 13 - 15
WHERE: Environmental Science Building, Art Building, Silver Eagle Suite
FREE to the general public, except the evening RFK, jr. speech
Philosophy of Water Issues
- Mission: to approach water issues at the interface of cultural, social-political, philosophic and scientific analyses.
- explores different aspects of the rising tide of water-problems: water-scarcity, quality and quantity of reserves, restoration of riparian areas, and the cultural perceptions of water.
- offer new approaches for comprehending the relationship between humans, natural ecosystems, and water
HISTORY:
Launched September 2003 at the Department of Philosophy of the University of North Texas by Professor Irene J. Klaver and TheDixon Foundation of Dallas, TX
General people
WHAT: "WaterWays: The Confluence of Art, Science, Policy & Philosophy" -A conference to bring scientists, philosophers, artists, water managers and water specialists together to discuss crucial water issues and raise a broad awareness of water basin issue.
WHEN: March 13 - 15
WHERE: Environmental Science Building, Art Building, Silver Eagle Suite
FREE to the general public, except the evening RFK, jr. speech
Philosophy of Water Issues
- Mission: to approach water issues at the interface of cultural, social-political, philosophic and scientific analyses.
- explores different aspects of the rising tide of water-problems: water-scarcity, quality and quantity of reserves, restoration of riparian areas, and the cultural perceptions of water.
- offer new approaches for comprehending the relationship between humans, natural ecosystems, and water
HISTORY:
Launched September 2003 at the Department of Philosophy of the University of North Texas by Professor Irene J. Klaver and TheDixon Foundation of Dallas, TX
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